Driver advice for a senior

[easyjay39402]

After a four-year layoff due to medical issues, I am back to golf.  71 years old.  I replaced my stiff-shaft 2-PW Titleist blades with a mixture of Callaway fairway woods and X2 irons with a regular shaft and am very pleased with the results.  However, I am lost in the woods when it comes to replacing my driver.  I've got arthritic shoulders with bone spurs and swinging a  driver simply causes too much pain.  No such problem with the 3 wood, etc.  Before I give up on the big dog, can anyone suggest a possible solution, besides the red tees?

 

[Rip62]

It's from a couple of years ago but the Adams Speedline Super S is very easy to swing. You can still find new ones for around $50 if you look around so if it doesn't work out you didn't spend too much.

[newtogolf]

Give the Callaway Big Bertha V Series with a regular or senior flex shaft a try.  The driver is light which allows for higher club head speeds, plus it's discontinued so you can find it pretty cheap online.

I had the best numbers with the Mitsubishi Bassara 52 shaft, but I'd also recommend you test with the Fujikura Speeder 565 and Mitsubishi Bassara 42.

[DrvFrShow]

I'd also look around for a 2014 Callaway Big Bertha with the Fubuki Z50 50g R-flex. It's a lightweight shaft and has a low-mid kick point. The driver is also quite adjustable and since it has been discontinued you can find one quite cheap, too. It's only a D2 swing weight. Good luck finding a senior flex, but the R flex will cover 80 - 90 mph swings, and the torque is high enough so it won't feel like a board.

[JBailey]

You might want to try a high degree driver.  I built a13.5 degree driver 25 yrs. ago.  At the time I averaged 280 yds. off the tee with my 9.5 degree driver, but was often off the fairway (actually, often way off the fairway).  With the 13.5 degree driver I lost 10-15 yds. but gain a great deal of accuracy.  It was much easier to hit also.  I also used it off the fairway with increased distance compared to my 3 wood.  It ended up being my only driver.

I've started playing golf again after a 20 yr. absence and I've ordered the components to build a 14 degree driver.  I'm hoping I have the same success with it that I had with the 13.5 degree many years ago.  I'm only averaging 220-230 yds. now, so accuracy is very important.

I would also suggest trying out some Senior Flex shafts.  I think the proper shaft is the most important aspect of golf equipment.  When I started out again this year I couldn't break 100 with my old stiff shafted clubs.  When going to graphite on all clubs, except specialty wedges, and regular shafts, I immediately dropped roughly 8 strokes.  I haven't seen triple digits since and rarely see 90's anymore.

Good luck.

Later,

John

[WUTiger]

Definitely time to get fitted. The higher lofts and the lighter shafts should help your situation.

Also, find out the distance difference between driver and 3W. If it's not much and 3W flies better, consider 3W off the tee. If you went this route, you would hit your 3W a lot more than most golfers, and really get in the groove with the club.

Just a suggestion.

[easyjay39402]

Thanks for the advice ... I'm checking out online deals on the drivers with the idea of buying myself one for Christmas. 

The distance between my 3w off the tee and driver is about 20 yards, so I if a new driver doesn't work out I can experiment with that approach. Might have to move up a set of tees.